Alan Parker takes British film's hot seat By Merissa Marr LONDON (Reuters) - Filmmaker Alan Parker, who fled for Hollywood 15 years ago in disgust at the state of the British film industry, on Tuesday unveils his plan to revive it. The abrasive director behind "The Commitments" and "Midnight Express" once lambasted Britain's movie business for what he called an obsession with pretentious art films. On Tuesday he will announce his strategy for injecting some commercial fizz at the helm of the Film Council, a new super agency loaded with the bulk of the government's film funding. "One thing about Alan is he will not be complacent," said Bertrand Mouiller, head of film at the Producers' Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). "He will challenge the system and the lack of ambition which has characterised British film." "We make too many films in Britain," Parker said earlier this year. "We are entrusting millions of pounds to people who have never (directed) before." Parker, 56, who left Britain to make a string of commercially successful films including "Fame" and "Angel Heart", will have more than 150 million pounds to spend over the next three years. "We have all this success at the Oscars with claims that 'the British are coming!' but then we're disappointed," said a specialist who raises funding for films. "Hopefully Parker will give some credibility to the British film industry." Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film "American Beauty" or one-off wonders such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Trainspotting" prove. LOADS OF MONEY BUT SHABBY SCRIPTS Film executives say the problem is no longer too little money but too much ill-directed finance. After years of under-funding, the film industry is suddenly awash with millions of pounds from lottery money and tax breaks. But while Hollywood films regularly make a profit of 50 million pounds, just 10 of the 70 British films released in 1999 took more than two million. "The structure of the UK sector puts enormous pressure on producers just to get a film shooting and so many projects go before the camera without being properly developed," said BBC Worldwide director Mike Phillips. The real issue is "shabby" scripts, according to Parker. "To be able to develop a screenplay is an art which the Americans are so good at and we're not," said Parker, who wrote seven drafts of the script of his latest film "Angela's Ashes". "The industry here is flimsy and the only way producers can pay their mortgage is by getting the movie made." Parker, who started his career in advertising, must use his commercial nose to put more emphasis on the less glamorous areas of distribution and marketing, experts say. A Hollywood studio will often spend as much energy on a film's merchandising as on its plot. But in Britain production, distribution and exhibition have become fatally separate. The British government has championed the creation of mini-studios with three new film franchises. But the past failure of both Goldcrest and Palace Pictures suggests it is not that easy. Both were finished off by one disastrous film. "Better it be Alan than a bureaucrat in charge," said Alan McQueen, acquisitions director at distributors Downtown Pictures. "I would rather there be someone who makes films in there than a politician."

Can't say I blame him for losing it. Must be frustrating. Patrick Stewart Denounces Producers NEW YORK (AP) -- Patrick Stewart shocked Broadway audiences during curtain calls of ''The Ride Down Mt. Morgan'' when he angrily accused producers of the Arthur Miller drama of failing to promote it. ''Arthur Miller and I no longer have confidence in our producers' commitment to this production, especially the Shubert Organization, or their willingness to promote and publicize it,'' Stewart, still in costume, proclaimed Saturday at his matinee and evening performances. ''Arthur and I feel frustrated and helpless.'' The complaint was endorsed by Miller during a New York Times interview. ''Clearly the play has dropped through the memory hole,'' Miller said. ''I haven't talked to management, but Patrick has, since he's there for every performance. Promises have been made repeatedly that were never kept.'' Shubert President Philip Smith issued a statement disputing Stewart's claims but did not detail promotional efforts. ''The producers' commitment to 'The Ride Down Mt. Morgan' could not be stronger,'' Smith said. The show's chief publicist, Michael Hartman, said more money had been spent on advertising for the play than was spent on two comparable plays last season, ''The Blue Room,'' which starred Nicole Kidman, and ''Amy's View,'' which featured Dame Judi Dench. More publicity would be forthcoming, Hartman said. Audiences applauded Stewart's accusations Saturday, prompting him to say he would restate them at the Sunday matinee. But he did not, and it was unclear whether Stewart and the producers had reached a compromise. Shubert representatives did not immediately return a phone call today seeking comment. ''Mt. Morgan'' is the story of a bigamist whose efforts to keep his two families unaware of each other fail when he's injured in a car crash and both wives visit him in the hospital. It was produced in London in 1991 and opened at Broadway's Ambassador Theater on April 9 for a run scheduled to end July 23. The show has enjoyed positive reviews and has done well at the box office, according to the show business journal Variety. Stewart, 59, is known for his role in television's ''Star Trek: The Next Generation.''

"American Beauty" is an American film. A mainstream Hollywood film, in fact. Sam Mendes may be English, but the funding, screenwriter, and actors were American. So I can't really understand the claims in some British published articles that the film is one of theirs. A movie's country of origin is determined by who puts up the money; Dreamworks is American company, hence, AB is an American film.

Cheryl, I agree! American Beauty is definitely American (thoughI think they have changed or are planning to change how the nationality of a film is determined). But you must have realised by now that we have the most irresponsible and slipshod press. Never believe anything in the British press. I have never read an article with which I have had some knowledge which has been 100% accurate. Alongside that, there are two strong traits 1) Over hyping any achievemants which have any British connection 2) knocking success at ever opportunity - how they manage to balance those two is one of our newspapers' only talents.

Excuse me, but the writer did not claim in the article posted that "American Beauty" was a British film. The writer said: "Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film "American Beauty" or one-off wonders such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Trainspotting" prove." Sam Mendes, Richard Curtis, and Danny Boyle are all British directors, i.e. talent.

Yoo hoo, Gi... How fast can you get here? Mel will be here tomorrow shooting about a block away. They are decorating the street now, planting and trimming, etc.

Oh Karen...Do you think you can at least take a picture? How I wish III could be there! What movie will that be? Beam me up, Scottie!

Movie is called "What Women Want" and it also stars Helen Hunt. According to some stuff I read, it's a romantic comedy about a male chauvinist (Gibson) who after a freak accident gains the ability to read women's thoughts. Supposed to be out at Christmas time. Will see what I can do about pictures. Just took some film out of the camera!

"Movieline " says: WHAT WOMEN WANT: Film centers on a womanizing executive who gets passed over for a promotion whne his company brings in Helen Hunt for the job he wanted. The firm's plan to deal with a stronger female demographic soon has Mel doing homework with products like panty hose and blow dryers, which leads to an accident in the bathroom that literally knocks him out. When he comes to,he has the new extrasensory capacity to hear women's thoughts.Mel is likely to be very good especially in the scenes where his character, now privy to women's real responses, learns that his macho posturing is not nearly as charming to them as he'd always thought.... Bette Midler plays the shrink Gibson goes to for help, and somehow, just the idea of Gibson and Midler in the same frame makes it all seem like it could be mind-boggling fun"

(Evelyn)it could be mind-boggling fun Yes it could... It could also be fun if they needed an extra and our Karen happened to be passing by... ;-)

Yeah, right! Drove by a little earlier and they are just bustling around, still setting up. Will check back later. They filmed another movie a few years back on that same street (a gangster movie, complete with old cars parked all around). I'm pretty sure I pointed it out to Tineke when we walked past because of the landmark status and unique architectural detail: the guy who built the rowhouses put his children's names above each doorway. Sorry no pic: http://destinations.previewtravel.com/DestGuides/0,1208,WEB_25_1_6_6451,00.html

Sounds like a fun film, perfect for ol blue eyes. (now that the original is gone, permit me the liberty) Karen, go and ask to be an extra. You never know when you might end up with a SAG card. ;-)

No extras even used in this scene. A cab dropped him off. He ran up the stairs (not as well as somebody else we know), knocked on the door, said some stuff, was let in and door slammed. That took hours to do. Got some pictures. The publicist came up to me and asked if I was in the press because I had the long lens (as we weren't allowed on their side of the street). Hopefully, one or two will come out. Mel didn't come over while I was around. Now they are off for some scenes by the beach and then later off to North & Damen in Bucktown (site of High Fidelity). 'nuff for me. ;-D

(Allison M) ...though I think they have changed or are planning to change how the nationality of a film is determined... That's a big bone of contention every year at the Oscars concerning the category for Best Foreign Language Film. It is a very big consideration insofar as European films are concerned; many of them currently are co-productions between countries; i.e.; French-Danish, Czech-German, and the like. Certain films have been found ineligible because of this. They are always threatening to change this by-law, and it would great if they did. Still, as far as the business world is concerned, a movie's country of origin will be determined by from where the money came. (Chris L) Excuse me, but the writer did not claim in the article posted that "American Beauty" was a British film. The writer said: "Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film "American Beauty" or one-off wonders such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Trainspotting" prove." Sam Mendes, Richard Curtis, and Danny Boyle are all British directors, i.e. talent. Duly noted, and you are right -- to a point... Danny Boyle, does he prefer to be refered to as "British" director or a "Scottish" director? The comment was not made with this article not being the only one in mind. I have read others where the inference to AB being an English film was more pronounced. That my be due to bad editing or bad reportage. There is another option, that being that the writer(s) subscribe to the "auteur" theory of film making. The director being the most important to "the vision" and intent of a movie. It's an oringinally French view on the art of film making, largely popularized in the 1950's/1960's by the influential film critic and director Francois Truffaut, among others. There has been reaction in French film criticism in recent years against such thinking. Anyway, British talent is nothing new, nor exceptional by its presence in film making. It has been there all along. British talent has been working in movies and winning film awards for decades. The world of cinema is richer for it. And "American Beauty" is still an American film.

Karen, thanks for the report on WWW... I can see it in my imagination, while I wait for your pics ;-)

Danny Boyle, does he prefer to be refered to as "British" director or a "Scottish" director? Dunno. He's never expressed a preference to me, although I wouldn't dream of calling him "English".

From The Scotsman: Their lips meet, and we still go weak William Peakin says the on-screen kiss is as highly charged as ever WHEN Ralph Fiennes melted the heart of Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient with the words "Swoon. I�ll catch you," for his leading lady, this was just the hors-d�oeuvre to the tastiest bit � their on-screen kiss. Fiennes is simply the best, Scott Thomas revealed this week. Better than Sean Penn, with whom she stars in Up At the Villa. Better even than her Random Hearts mate Harrison Ford. And would you believe, better than Robert Redford? He may have whispered well, but when it came to puckering-up, the screen idol of many a female generation was "the worst of all". Who would have thought that more than a century after John C Rice locked onto May Rice in The Kiss � prompting a Chicago newspaper to declare that "the sight of their prolonged pasturing on each other�s lips was hard to bear and calls for police interference" � that such a well-worn moment in cinema can remain so highly charged. Indeed, a few years ago the screen kiss had all but dried up. Hollywood scriptwriters were churning out plots in which the stars got straight down to sex with barely a peck first, or which skipped romance altogether. Spacecraft, tornadoes, volcanoes; that is what audiences wanted. Even in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, lips rarely met. There was a time when people went to the movies to perfect their technique, lingering on the suave carnality of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Notorious before banging noses, bruising lips and chipping teeth with their lovers in the back row. Those making the mistake of looking to Humphrey Bogart as a role model ended up with what one critic described as "the quivering nibble of a horse closing in on an apple". He may have taught a generation how to smoke and narrow their gaze through a tobacco haze, but he could not kiss. However, a Bogart kissing scene did provide one of the more memorable moments of screen foreplay; in To Have and Have Not, instead of melting into each other�s arms,Bogart and Lauren Bacall raised the heat with some whispered not-so-sweet-somethings as they kissed. "What did you do that for?" asks Bogart. "I was wondering if I�d like it," replies Bacall. He waits: "What�s the decision?" "I don't know yet.'" They kiss again. "It�s even better when you help," she says. The power of the celluloid kiss was that the consummation was left to occur in the audience�simagination. Would it have been the same if the camera had followed Rhett Butler carrying Scarlett up the stairs and into the bedroom to record what happened next? Of course, directors were not just being subtle for art�s sake, they were also working within the moralstrictures of the time. In 1932, the former US postmaster general Will Hays created the Motion Picture Production Code which kept couples in separate beds, forbade any depiction of sexual pleasure, censored mention of abortion, breast-feeding and childbirth ... and set the permitted length of a screen kiss to 1.5 seconds (although, somehow the longest screen kiss � three minutes and five seconds between Regis Toomey and Jane Wyman in 1940�s You�re in the Army Now � escaped). The code controlled Hollywood for more than three decades but after the sexual revolution of the 1960s just about anything went. The French kiss became so common in films no-one thought about it much until 15 years ago when it was revealed that Rock Hudson had given Linda Evans a passionate kiss during an episode of Dynasty when he knew he had Aids. The Screen Actors� Guild sent a letter to 7,000 producers and agents informing them that in future they had to notify actors in advance of any scenes that required open-mouthed kissing. Anxiety about other stars� private lives took some of the romance out of the screen kiss. "I try to kiss normally. But there are times when the other person isn�t comfortable or you aren�t, so you fake it," says Johnny Depp, star of Sleepy Hollow. "Maybe we should always do that; it�s not wise to run around kissing people. It�s not hygienically sound." ~~~~~~~` Makes me want to watch some old movies. ;-)

It�s not hygienically sound. Reminds me of a Burt Bacharach song: "What do you get when you kiss a guy? You get enough germs to catch pneumonia." Doesn't put anyone off kissing, though, does it?

Fiennes is simply the best, Scott Thomas revealed this week. Hmmm... looks like Rafe isn't such a cold fish after all. Ladies who have seen Sunshine, how were his love scenes with JE?

The ones with JE were okay, but the one with Debra Unger-something? were very embarassing and quite unnecessaary I thought.

Was wondering when anyone would pick up on that? ;-) Am guessing that Geoffrey in a Santa suit couldn't possibly generate the same appeal.

Ladies who have seen Sunshine, how were his love scenes with JE? "Steamy"is the consensus. And I doubt if we'll get to see the one with Debra Kara Unger;-) We also didn't get to see all of the scenes with Julianne Moore in "End of the Affair" ...courtesy of the same censor.

Actually, we did see all in End Of The Affair. Wooley appealed the original MPAA ruling and won. Nothing was cut.

I think the film can only be improved by cutting the DKU scene, in a way it was laughable or else he is an exception human being!!

From The Guardian: Oscar winner Mendes to direct unknown's play Fiachra Gibbons Arts correspondent Friday May 5, 2000 Sam Mendes shocked the world of theatre last night by revealing that the first play he is to direct since winning an Oscar will be by an unknown author. After his American Beauty triumph, the British director took Hollywood by surprise by saying that he was dying to return to the Donmar Warehouse, a small London theatre he had put on the map with his Tony Award-winning production of Cabaret and of The Blue Room starring Nicole Kidman. Now Mendes has ditched his plans to direct Twelfth Night in favour of a drama called To The Green Fields Beyond, which is set in a tank on the western front during the first world war, and written by the relatively obscure Nick Whitby. "Shakespeare can wait," Mendes said last night. "You have to take advantage of a good and exciting new play like this. It is not every day they land on your desk. One of the benefits of running a theatre is that you can change the programme when you need to." A spokeswoman for the Donmar said Twelfth Night would be staged next year instead, although casting had actually begun before the change of plan. "Sam read To The Green Fields Beyond and went 'Wow!' said the spokeswoman. "He really loved it, so he thought 'what the hell!' It is a fascinating piece, and it's a very unusual subject." The play revolves around a multiracial crew of a tank during the Somme offensive in September 1916. The generals hoped that the new weapon would turn around the war, stuck in a battle of attrition, by being able to break through the German lines. But most of the tanks broke down with mechanical failures on their first outing at the Somme, long before they got in sight of German trenches, and failed to break the stalemate. In contrast to army tradition, the new tank corps recruited from all corners of the British empire, and moreover its tank commanders were "ordinary blokes" rather than officers. Whitby, in his early thirties, has written comedy for TV but is best known for a play, Dirty Dishes, that has been a hit in Germany. Mendes, 34, said last month that he was happy to direct one play a year until the right film script came along: "There are not as many of them out there as you think." He has formed his own film company, called Donmar, backed by the DreamWorks studio, and even persuaded its boss, Steven Spielberg, to donate money to the theatre. The head of Miramax, Harvey Weinstein, is also keen to secure Mendes' services, and is investing in the Donmar production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing on Broadway.

Cineoke (as in karaoke) in London... I found this snippet in an article, and cracked up laughing... Just as plays are becoming films, so films are rapidly becoming plays: I don't mean film-to-stage translations like the already mentioned The Graduate or the imminent musicalization of The Witches of Eastwick: I mean films that are becoming participatory events. The hit of last year's Film Festival was Sing-along Sound of Music, a screening of the classic film musical with subtitles of the lyrics so the audience could join in. That has long since transferred to an extended run in a West End cinema, the charmingly scruffy Prince Charles off Leicester Square, where audiences don't just sing but also dress up as nuns and other characters from the film. This year, the Festival's response to that success was an event called Cineoke, in which extracts from a whole bunch of movie musicals were shown for the audience to continue the karaoke experience with. Camp highlights included the inevitable �YMCA� (from Can't Stop the Music), the title songs to Fame and Xanadu, �Don't Cry for Me, Argentina� from Evita and �Do 't Rain on My Parade,� from Funny Girl.

"Shakespeare can wait," Mendes said... He's right Shakespeare will always be there.

This she missed a cultural icon!! The world's largest photograph has been unveiled at a London department store by pop star Elton John. The photo, which is 900ft long and 60 ft high, stretches around Selfridges in Oxford Street and features a huge picture of the star over the store's main entrance. The frieze is the brainchild of Turner-shortlisted artist Sam Taylor-Wood, who also attended the unveiling. She said she wanted to create a modern day version of the Elgin Marble frieze, using images of famous cultural icons instead of Greek gods. The pop superstar said his inclusion was very appropriate as he was the "god of shopping". Other stars who feature in it include actors Leonardo Di Caprio, Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, Richard E Grant, Adrian Dunbar and actress Jane Horrocks.

Another omission: Knight to take on tramp role Sir Michael Gambon will return to the West End in the autumn to play Davies, the tramp, in Harold Pinter's classic play The Caretaker. The role was created by the late Donald Pleasance in 1960, then revived by him in 1991 [with Colin Firth] shortly before he died. Directing is actor-playwright Patrick Marber, recently seen in Speed-the-Plow at the Donmar Warehouse, and the producer is Robert Fox, brother of actors James and Edward.

WOOOHOOOO! I just read over at the MSN site about TRT's 5 Tony noms! Here's the scoop: �The Real Thing� has five nominations, including Revival of a Play and Best Performances by a Leading Actor (Stephen Dillane) and Actress (Jennifer Ehle) in a Play. (The original Broadway production had seven nominations in 1984.) What great news for all JE (and SD) fans! Congrats all around!!

I bet there's a big block part on Earlham Street. Sent them an email. Will call later in the week.

OH MY GOD!!! Tim Dutton was on Ally McBeal, and WOW, does he look GREAT!!!! And he said RED SOX!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Evelyn, I know you didn't think much of him in "Melissa", but WOW!!! I mean WOW!!! (Just get him away from Ally!)

Sorry, wasn't impressed. He had that floppy hair and looked a bit dorky. I know one, maybe two actors, who would've been better. ;-)

Five Tonys! Bravo. And now go read Karen's post on #131, Evelyn ;-)

Oh, Karen, I've always been a fan of Tim Dutton. I first saw him in a Mystery series on PBS a few years back. Then Evelyn sent me "Melissa" and I was hooked. He's floppy, but in a cute way!!! Did love the Internet love interest tho, that was hysterical. (especially everytime she talked about sex and the microphone would get louder and make weird noises;))

Missed the first 20 minutes and didn't see that; will catch during reruns maybe.

Tom Cruise with a southern accent doing Brick? No way. Who are they going to cast for Big Daddy? Timothy Spall? ;-) Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are reportedly considering a visit to England to co-star on the London stage. According to the Daily Express, the husband-and-wife team have their sights set on a production of Tennessee Williams's fevered Deep South familial drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which will be directed by Sam Mendes, winner of the Best Director Oscar for his film debut American Beauty. Cruise and Kidman have acted together on screen with mixed results in films like Days of Thunder, Far and Away and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, though they have never taken to the stage together. Cruise has little stage pedigree, though Kidman won rave reviews for her appearance in the Donmar Warehouse's production of The Blue Room back in 1998 - a performance dubbed by one panting critic as "pure theatrical Viagra".

Very interesting chart at THR (that is, if I'm interpreting it correctly) about the cost to buy film rights around the world. Here's the link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/cannes/cannes2k/going.asp What that chart shows is that, for example, an Australian distributor would have to pay $300,000-$600,000 (US) for a film whose budget was $6 million-$12 million (US) like BJD. What's the deal with Portugal? Rights go for dirt cheap.

(Laura)Evelyn, I know you didn't think much of him in "Melissa" Wrong. I liked him in Melissa...third in line of JE's best leading men (CF & SD ahead). It was the production and story that I didn't like. He was even in a short-lived TV sit-com recently about pilgrims...he's v. handsome. ~~~~~~ Tom Cruise playing Brick? ROTFLMAO.I want Colin for that role...with Jennifer doing Blanche. Sizzzzzle. RH did it at Lincoln Center years ago...got a Tony for it.

What HASN'T RH won a Tony for:)

(Karen)What's the deal with Portugal? We have no money. Try and compare salaries in Portugal and other countries and you'll see what I mean.

Still the case, huh? Sorry to hear. :-(

I sure wish Ralph would take some time off.;-) From Teletext: Paltrow and Fiennes possessed? Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes are being courted to star in a movie version of AS Byatt novel Possession. Byatt's Booker-prizewinner is the story of two rival academics who discover the secret affairs of the poets they are studying. Neil LaBute, better known for harsh modern satires like In The Company Of Men, is writing the screenplay and may direct this very British project for Warner Bros.

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ralph Fiennes CANNOT play Roland!!!! Gwyneth as Maud????? However, I can picture Jeanne Tripplehorn has Val. Or would Ralph Fiennes play Ash? And Gwyneth Cristabel??? Ugh!!! How can they do this??? MY ALL TIME FAVORITE CONTEMPORARY NOVEL AND THEY'LL RUIN IT!!!! Neil LaBute? I HATED In the Company of Men!!!! UGH! Can you tell I don't like this???

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Major dittoing. But I think it would be Fiennes playing Ash and Gwynnie playing Maud (Christabel was a little petite thing a la Holly Hunter in The Piano). I always wanted Colin to play Roland. And I won't even address the piggy director who is also ruining adaptation. My favorite book. Get me a knife. :-(

You know, Gwynnie's a little young to be playing Maud. Somehow picturing her as professor doesn't jive. Have hard time picturing her as even graduating college. Am still shaken about the Fiennes potential and how he'll ruin the central love story, especially when it's consumated. Yeah, he'll do fine as the cold fish Victorian poet and the spurned lover.

It is too good a project to pass on. I bet they will both do it. Too bad for Colin, he would have been PERFECT! New mantra: I hate Colin's agent...

I don't know how they could possibly make "Possession" into a movie without destroying it? I mean look at the English Patient. They focused on the wrong love story! This is a complex book with complex themes. Something in the translation will get destroyed, I think they should leave it alone. Arundhati Ray author of the Booker winning "The God of Small Things" (fascinating book for those of you haven't read it), refuses to have her book made into a movie, and she's a director! Only one other of AS Byatt's novels (novella, actually) went big screen "Angels & Insects" granted it was a decent adaptation that was a story that could translate well to the screen. I'm not happy. I am SO not happy. (Now if they were to make Virgin in the Garden, Still Life and Babel Tower into a movie Colin Firth would HAVE to play Alexander!!!! right Karen???)

Colin Firth would HAVE to play Alexander!!!! right Karen???) All depends what happens in the fourth book? ;-) But, I wouldn't complain. I always thought Byatt never sold or optioned Possession and was pretty happy about it, as it cannot be done, especially by someone as untalented as the misogynistic writer/director *mumble mumble* Could they possibly have found anybody worse?

All depends what happens in the fourth book? ;-) But, I wouldn't complain. If and when it ever comes out! The Game would make an interesting movie;) Yes, misogynistic! He calls himself a writer/director! NO!!! Not for nothing, but I think I'd rather have Anthony Minghella do the screenplay if that was the case! Wonder who could possibly do Frederica or even Daniel for that bit. (Mark Addy?) He's a lovable sorta guy, which is what Daniel is lovable. As I think of it, when I picture Roland in my head, I see John Cusack:)

I sure wish Ralph would take some time off.;-) He's 'Johnny on the spot' for good every role that comes along. New mantra: I hate Colin's agent... I do too. But ...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here?

(Evelyn) But ...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here? Warner Bros, jerkhouse writer/director...American production. That's wadsamadda! :-( Daniel Day Lewis was always Randolph Ash in my mind. For some reason, he has the right gaunt appearance and would look good with a beard (as I picture him). Cusack? Bite your tongue!! Daniel, I always saw as stocky, hairy Alan Bates type. ;-)

Wadsamadda here? Bankability, that's the madda.

Alan Bates is too old! :) Oh Karen, keep forgetting, rented Tumbleweeds. REBECCA LOVED IT!!! she now wants me to pack up and head out west and meet up with different men along the way;) Janet McTeer was incredible! Kimberly J. Brown was brilliant as well.

It's the cost associated with keeping a low profile and not striking while the iron is hot (like after P&P). Rafe has had good breaks, but he also works his butt off, isn't afraid to fail, promotes his stuff, and takes on only substantial, challenging work. Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? I assume there's also a cost associated with taking what amounts to a five-month vacation each year; sorry, but most kids see their dads go off to work each day.;-)

I meant to add that, on a personal level, I have great sympathy for how he manages his life. But we shouldn't be surprised or upset when the plumb parts go to others as a result.

plum;-)

(Laura) Alan Bates is too old! :) I said "hairy Alan Bates type" NOT Alan Bates himself. (Mari) the plumb parts go to others he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-)

Okay okay, now I must read that book too! ;-)

...Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? Or (godferbid)a cameo role...and how's about the forthcoming "Londinium". Max directing it would be bad enough, but directing and starring in it...uh, uh. RF did do The Avengers which he admits was a terrible mistake. And one he will not repeat.Of course, acting is his life. You are right, Allison, he is bankable, but he works so hard at it...even after he's finished filming it. Producers must love him.

You are right, Allison, he is bankable, but he works so hard at it.. I do have huge sympathy with CF as a person. He has his parallels amongst so many people we must know. Who do not give over their lives to the self promotion which seems to be a necessary part of so many occupations these days. I am sure part of him must want to do it but you only have to see him bantering with M McD at the MLSF premier and to hear how self conscious he feels when visited by HF on the FP set to realise that he just finds that self promotion very difficult. For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO. Do you agree, Arami?

Karen. Maybe that should all be on #129.

(Karen) he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-) *Snicker* Need plum parts, not plumb lines.;-) (Evelyn) Or (godferbid)a cameo role...and how's about the forthcoming "Londinium". Yeah . . . As I think I wrote before, I can't imagine that Mike Binder will suddenly be confused with Fassbinder.;-) RE: Avengers. Certainly a poor choice, but at least he didn't commit career suicide afterwards by going and hiding just because he had a flop. Nope, he got right back in there, and now all is forgotten (and rightfully so). Solid, mature, smart. I admire him and how he handles his career.

Sorry to be talking again about CF on this topic but looking at what he chose to do in 1999, I definitely get the impression that he was filling in. While they were fiddling around with BJD, he presumably wished to keep himself free in case it was greenlighted. So he might have taken L and RV at the last minute as fill ins.

Gi, YOU MUST READ THE BOOK!!! I absolutely adore AS Byatt. It's wonderful.

(Mari), the plumb parts go to others (karen), he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-) (Mari), I can't imagine that Mike Binder will suddenly be confused with Fassbinder.;-) LOL! You girls are bang on! (Mari), Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? I assume there's also a cost associated with taking what amounts to a five-month vacation each year; sorry, but most kids see their dads go off to work each day.;-) Wow, Mari! Ouch! Of course, we all agree. I looked forward to the Avengers, (loved the clothing), RF makes a v. fine gentleman. Unfortunately, the movie tanked.

(Evelyn)...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here? He is not perceived as a strong enough lead to generate much box office worldwide. The general concensus is that hardly anybody goes to see a movie because Colin Firth is in it. And yes, they could have found a worse writer/director than Neil LaBute. Namely Paul Thomas Anderson. I loved when Kevin Smith dissed Anderson on the Web last year. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving no talent hack. "Magnolia" blew. The only worse movie with artistic intent from last year was "Eyes Wide Shut". Shudder.

From reel.com's news: Fiennes, Paltrow, and Eckhart Ponder Possession By Kasia Anderson Warner Bros. is pulling together a prize-winning cast for its film adaptation of a prize-winning novel, A.S. Byatt's Possession. The studio is angling to hook Oscar girl Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as Ralph Fiennes and Erin Brockovich's Aaron Eckhart, for starring roles in Byatt's cerebral love story. According to Variety, WB has made a $5 million offer to Paltrow to play Maud Bailey, a brainy looker who stumbles upon an academic mystery while researching poetess Christabel LaMotte. [Note to all: Actually it is Roland who stumbles on it.] It seems Maud's subject, considered by others in her field to be a lightweight, had a secret affair with literary giant Randolph Ash. Maud's discovery [shudder!! They've changed the story] leads her to fellow researcher Roland Michell, who has devoted his studies to Ash's life and career. Thus ensues an academic sleuth story, with the two contemporary colleagues trying to keep their findings secret while unraveling the mystery. Naturally, all that poetic talk of romance starts to affect Roland and Maud �. Byatt, also the author behind Philip Haas' Angels and Insects film adaptation, won the 1990 Booker Prize � Britain's highest literary honor � for Possession. Though WB has kicked off the casting process with its offer to Paltrow, formal negotiations haven't yet begun. It's also unclear whether an offer has been made to Fiennes, but writer/director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) is re-writing the script and is "understood to be attached to direct," says the trade. LaBute's latest, the dark comedy Nurse Betty, is in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Betty, starring Eckhart, Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock, Morgan Freeman, and Greg Kinnear, opens in the U.S. on November 10. ~~~~~~~~ Am getting nauseous...although Eckardt does fit the bill of Maud's narcissistic ex-boyfriend.

(Mari) RE: Avengers. Certainly a poor choice, but at least he didn't commit career suicide afterwards by going and hiding just because he had a flop. Nope, he got right back in there, and now all is forgotten (and rightfully so). C'mon, Avengers was *not* Rafey boy's 'break-out' role. His post-Avengers career was in a far better place than CF's was post-Valmont (assuming you were making that comparison). Otherwise I agree with everything you, Evelyn and others have said about Ralph. He plays the game.

For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO. Do you agree, Arami? Yes, Allison, definitely. I've never known him behave in a bwww-ha-ha-ha! capital! sort of manner.

...For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO I certainly hope that the acting schools include a course in publicity/interviews/dealing with the media (to include live tv interviews ) in their canon. If they don't, they are shortchanging their students. That is such an important factor in an actor's career . I don't see it as self-promotion either.If one is going to be in the public eye, one should feel comfortable doing so.

Oh, Karen, that is terrible! Gwyneth is all wrong. Maud was prettier and more robust looking. I mean this woman had a figure! How can they completely change the story like that? I think I need to write to Antonia Susan Byatt tonight telling her that they are destroying the best contemporary novel EVER!!!

Laura, the Variety item by Claude Brodesser didn't have any of that detail that reversed the roles. Basically gave a plot outline: "Based on the Booker Prize-winning A.S. Byatt novel, the storyline centers on two contemporary academicians, each studying one of two Victorian poets, who reconstruct their subjects' secret extramarital affair through their poems, diaries, epistles and analysis." Am hoping that reel got it wrong.

(Karen)Laura, the Variety item by Claude Brodesser didn't have any of that detail that reversed the roles...Am hoping that reel got it wrong. Plots are seen differently from different points of view... Perhaps this is how they introduced it to Gwynie. Remember SiL: the play was supposed to be called Mercutio, right? ;-) Laura, I most definitely shall read the book - but probably only in a few weeks.

Hope Reel got it wrong. But I can see how misogynist will make Gwyneth the "star" of show. I don't know, Karen, I just picture John Cusack as Roland. Or a John Cusack-type as Roland. I could never really define Ash. Cristabel/Maud I thought had similar appearance. Am thinking that Rupert Graves would be a good Roland. Still trying to picture Ash. Can't do it. (and don't see Fiennes as him either.)

Watch your questions, Laura. They are bordering on *spoilers* and if Evelyn and Gi are going to read it, some things cannot be discussed. Actually, Gwynnie is not too bad (although she lacks a scholarly look). I had picked out Joely Richardson a long time ago for Maud, who was taller than Roland.

Oops, will watch questions. Okay, ladies hurry up and read book so we can discuss the bad casting attached to said project!! :) Joely Richardson, hmmmm.... Janet McTeer I think would be a wonderful Maud. Curious to see how they cast Val, Ellen, Mrs Ash, Blanche, Steven Eckhart as (watshisname?), the blonde guy???? um, no?

I ordered the book yesterday...but I don't mind reading discussions beforehand. (Though I'm glad no one told me the ending of "The 6th Sense") (Laura).... Okay, ladies hurry up and read book so we can discuss the bad casting attached to said project!! :) Not giving an inch, eh? You're tough , Laura;-)

I LOVED the Sixth Sense (however, I figured it out, like at the very beginning!) But it was still good, and quite a cast. Olivia Williams (Jane Fairfax in A&E's Emma, was BW Wife!)

Olivia Williams (Jane Fairfax in A&E's Emma, was BW Wife!) And Toni Collette, Harriet Smith in the film "Emma" was the little boy's mother. LOL all-Brit female cast. They were excellent too.TC nominated for Oscar for that role.Is on B'way now in a musical. I really liked Olivia Williams with Kevin Costner in "The Postman." Only redeeming part of that film.

Actually, Toni C is Australian. Did a bang-on job with the Philadelphia accent in SS. Most non-Yanks go for an all-purpose American accent, which is fine; but she not only got it down to the city, but a particular section of the city in which the film takes place. Loved her in Muriel's Wedding, too. Cosi is another good one--offbeat Australian comedy. I'd love to go up to NY and see her in Wild Party; not sure I can put up with Mandy Patinkin, however (whom I used to like, but I think he's lost it now in more ways than one).

Right, forgot of Toni Collette! She was so good! "Look at my face!" Loved it! Even Rebecca liked it. (she thinks Cole was cute:)) I'm in trouble!

Lala: Am thinking that Rupert Graves would be a good Roland. Really Laura? How surprising ;)

Ooh, RG in the flesh. Saw a preview for Dreaming of Joseph Lees? Looks good, anyone see it?

I've seen it. Worth seeing for Samantha Morton's performance and the cinematography. Plot was pretty unbelievable for piece set in a rural area in the 50s. Had a very ambiguous ending, although director said which way he intended it to go. BTW, director is same as Colin's Relative Values. Rupert looked very good.

I'll have to check it out. Have you guys seen Boys Don't Cry? I was very impressed by Hilary Swank's performance. She REALLY had me thinking she was a guy! (more so than Gwynnie in SIL:))

No comparison and shouldn't be. As I've said numerous times before, women masquerading as men/boys in Shakespeare do not need to be believable.

Oh, I was trying to make a funny:) It was a great movie! I haven't seen much lately:( I think Rebecca is itching me to take her to see the Flintstones (I like Mark Addy, but...) Geez, now I have this comp at home, (and bunch of bootleg movies to boot;)), I stay home. I saw Magnolia, and not for nothing, I really liked it a lot. I'm am so not a Tom Cruise fan, but wow, he was an awesome misogynist! (word for the week?) Philip Seymour Hoffman as the nurse was very good too. As well as the guy who played the cop (forget name). Thought the rainstorm was very good too;)

... to the mothers on our board (and I mean that in the nicest way)!

Here's the URL for the NY times article that Murph mentioned: "The British are coming..." http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/051400british-actors.html Jude Law's sticker-price now up to $5.Mil...wow! (Don't blame him...strike while you're the flavour of the month!) And while neither CF or SD are mentioned by name, the article is v. complimentary of their talent as a group. Love the last sentence....bet Ben Affleck isn't thrilled;-)

Thanks, Evelyn, for the article. v. interesting. Liked that last line too. ;-) But you'd better look fast before they enter the land of the limousine. Limousine? Imagine that! *hee hee* screen evil may not have reached quite such well-spoken proportions since Ralph Fiennes delivered his career-making performance in the 1993 film "Schindler's List." Did anyone have any doubt re: career-making performance? This Isaacs guy is certainly *driven* to succeed: Isaacs, who in conversation couldn't be warmer or more open. (About everything, that is, except his age. "I'm as old as you need me to be," he told a reporter, admitting only to being "in my 30s.") "I kill everything in my path," he added. "I think I cross every boundary known to man." Don't think someone we know would be quite so.... Isaacs seems to have crossed that most important boundary: a role to lift a good company player, of which Britain boasts literally hundreds, into the next echelon of fame. Good company player? See they did mention Colin, among all those hundreds who fill this bill. :-(

Happy Mothers' Day to all the Moms at drool.

To All you Mommies Out There ... HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! ... And for good measure ... Love, KJ

Thank you Heide and KJ for the lovely flowers. Had a wonderful day yesterday. "I'm as old as you need me to be," he told a reporter, admitting only to being "in my 30s.") Loved this quotation. I think I will use it. Thanks for posting the link, Evelyn. Frankly, I am sick of Ben Affleck and his bobsy (sp?) twin Matt.

Argh, this is appalling. As written, you'd get the impression that Fiennes would be Roland. :-( Some of the worst miscasting I've ever seen. Plus give away the plot, why don't you? Paltrow takes 'Possession' with Fiennes (Mon., May 15, 2000) By Zorianna Kit Warner Bros. and USA Films are co-financing "Possession," which Neil LaBute has committed to direct as his next film. Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes have committed to star. Aaron Eckhart ("Erin Brockovich") is in talks to star. Under terms of the 50-50 split, USA has agreed to distribute the film domestically with Warners taking foreign rights. Barry Levinson and Paula Weinstein's Baltimore/Spring Creek, which had been developing the project at Warner Bros., are producing. "Possession" is based on British author A.S. Byatt's novel "Possession: A Romance." The film, alternately set in present day and Victorian England, is about two academics who, while researching 19th century poet Randolph Ash, stumble upon a love letter written by Ash -- a man believed to be faithfully married -- to a lesser known poet, a chaste spinster. In unearthing the romance, the scholars embark on a journey that challenges their beliefs about themselves. LaBute, whose film "Nurse Betty" screened in Cannes, has been rewriting the "Possession" script. Warners' senior vp production Courtenay Valenti is overseeing the project for the studio. Paltrow is no stranger to the Fiennes family, having co-starred opposite Fiennes' younger brother Joseph in "Shakespeare in Love," a role which garnered her a best actress Oscar win. Both actors are repped by CAA. [Colin needs to change agencies] Should Eckhart also come aboard "Possession," it would mark the actor's fourth consecutive project for LaBute, having previously starred in all of the director's films, including "In the Company of Men," "Your Friends & Neighbors" and the upcoming "Betty."

(Karen) Both actors are repped by CAA. [Colin needs to change agencies] Maybe, but I shudder to think what projects they don't even bother presenting him with because the shoots don't coincide with the months in which he's willing to work.:-( BTW, some mediocre reviews for The Golden Bowl at Cannes--Variety says Uma and Jeremy are miscast.:-( JN sports an Italian accent. I don't care, I'll see it anyway.

I've posted the Variety review at JN's topic (43), along with a va-va voooooom picture. ;-)

Tineke reported this: And don't forget to log on at http:// www.tonys.org tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11.30am ET for live interviews at the Tonys Nominees Brunch. It is reported that Jennifer will be there.

I've received important Drool advice to check out this board. I'm glad I did --- you guys are very funny. Brightens my otherwise solitary day spent working at the computer. I've been wondering myself what's gone wrong with Colin Firth's career. He's obviously talented, and I admire his Olivier-like flexibility, but I found his performance in My Life So Far to be less emotionally believable than in earlier films. I'm at a disadvantage though, because I haven't seen a lot of his latest projects. Saw SIL, A Thousand Acres, and English Patient, but he had small roles in these. Can't find Fever Pitch in video stores, and it never made it to the big screen. Haven't seen Secret Lives of Women --- I think it did make it to the local independent, but so briefly I missed it. I thought Hostages was stunning, and yet only got to see it on video a couple of years ago. And The Advocate/Hour of the Pig was hilarious, clever, and progressive. Yes! Progressive --- in its subtext. I'm always amazed though, how his finer films are so completely ignored. Valmont is a case in point. I think it remains his best all-round performance (that I've seen), and was one of the best-directed films. Certainly much better than Dangerous Liaisons, in my opinion. If I'd been part of such a fine enterprise and it flopped, I think I'd crawl away for awhile. Of course, if he did disappear (I take your word for it) it may not have been about that at all. It may be lack of career know-how or interest, bad agents, the tastes of the hoi polloi, or simple differences in priorities. But for Valmont to flop has to be nothing other than pure karma! Man, do I ever wish this thing had a spell-checker. Can't believe how many words I'm now unsure about that I used to remember. This is the real reason Bill Gates is insidious! Sounds like his later choices leave something to be desired. Which recent Firth films do people recommend?(I'm a little fuzzy about films from 1997 on.)

(EAG) and it [FP] never made it to the big screen. It did indeed, even here in the states. I saw it in NJ last October. Blink your eyes and you would have missed it, though. It also played on the big screen in countries where football is popular (everywhere in the world, so it seems).